Brakes locked after washing - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

mrshanes · 06-11-2015, 07:03 AM

I've had this happen a few times, but it was minor. I've also seen a couple others on here posting about it. However, today was the worst so far. I washed my car several days ago, but haven't had a chance to drive it until this morning. When this happens they usually break loose with a clunk as I ease the clutch out. Today, the car wouldn't budge. I kept giving more and more gas as I was slipping the clutch. It was almost stalling out and still wouldn't move. I gave it more gas and one rear broke loose, but the other didn't. The car was starting to go sideways in my garage. I tried reverse, but it wouldn't move. So back into 1st with more gas. I literally dragged the locked tire across the slick garage floor until it hit the brushed concrete driveway and finally broke loose. I went up and down the driveway a couple times and could feel the spot it was froze on as I applied the brakes - almost like a warped rotor. That went away as a drove, but after getting to work (10 miles) I could still see where the pads had been stuck on the rear. A couple things before anyone asks: I washed the car when it was cool and I DID NOT set the parking brake. Are these pads set so close to the rotors that they can rust without even being applied? This just doesn't seem right.

Rock-It Man · 06-11-2015, 07:27 AM

Yes this will happen if you don't drive the car soon after you wash it.

Even a severe rainstorm won't get water into the gap the way a hose will when pointed right at the rotors.

PAUL SS · 06-11-2015, 07:31 AM

Try backing up too.

As stated above, easily preventable by a short drive around the block or even up and down the driveway.

ZED SLED · 06-11-2015, 07:32 AM

After a wash and dry I always roll mine down the driveway with the brakes engaged. Go back and forth several times. Usually does the job and keeps rust off the rotors.

Jeb114 · 06-11-2015, 07:39 AM

Happens to all of them. fords and dodges too. just go down the road hit the brakes a couple of times and it brushes off.

ZL W0N · 06-11-2015, 09:14 AM

Yeah like people are saying, you can't let that stay on the rotors, especially the front ones. All you have to do is drive back and forth a few times, using the brakes to clean off the rotors. It's ok if it sits for a little while after washing, but it's not good to let it sit for an extended period of time. I read it somewhere about care and maintenance for your ZL1.

PAUL SS · 06-12-2015, 08:01 AM

It really does not take much rolling or driving to generate some heat in the pads and rotors. That's all you really need.

renyart · 06-12-2015, 08:18 AM

That's what I've found as well.

OldJedi · 06-13-2015, 11:54 PM

Yes, I found out right after I got our ZL1 in 2012 and the first time I washed it. Very scary to be revving the motor a lot and burning the clutch trying to get the car to go either forwards or back inside the garage. Finally after numerous tries it broke loose. I learned my lesson to drive the car after I wash it and back it out of the garage the next day as well. The rust bonds the pads to the rotor very well.

Brad956 · 10-27-2015, 04:40 PM

I'n getting the same problem but i was attempting to see if the ss cailpers would fit into my rotors. Now i have them locked. Is it safe to back up or forward the car?

KaBoom1701 · 10-27-2015, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldJedi

Yes, I found out right after I got our ZL1 in 2012 and the first time I washed it. Very scary to be revving the motor a lot and burning the clutch trying to get the car to go either forwards or back inside the garage. Finally after numerous tries it broke loose. I learned my lesson to drive the car after I wash it and back it out of the garage the next day as well. The rust bonds the pads to the rotor very well.

+1

hotlap · 10-27-2015, 07:57 PM

Dido

Redlineviper · 10-27-2015, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotlapZL1

Dido

Ditto

gbu27 · 10-27-2015, 08:39 PM

Also if you let them dry up without warming them right after a wash, the brake dust is so bad from the rust that forms you might as well not wash it.

06-11-2015, 07:03 AM	#1
mrshanes Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Morgantown, WV Posts: 63	Brakes locked after washing I've had this happen a few times, but it was minor. I've also seen a couple others on here posting about it. However, today was the worst so far. I washed my car several days ago, but haven't had a chance to drive it until this morning. When this happens they usually break loose with a clunk as I ease the clutch out. Today, the car wouldn't budge. I kept giving more and more gas as I was slipping the clutch. It was almost stalling out and still wouldn't move. I gave it more gas and one rear broke loose, but the other didn't. The car was starting to go sideways in my garage. I tried reverse, but it wouldn't move. So back into 1st with more gas. I literally dragged the locked tire across the slick garage floor until it hit the brushed concrete driveway and finally broke loose. I went up and down the driveway a couple times and could feel the spot it was froze on as I applied the brakes - almost like a warped rotor. That went away as a drove, but after getting to work (10 miles) I could still see where the pads had been stuck on the rear. A couple things before anyone asks: I washed the car when it was cool and I DID NOT set the parking brake. Are these pads set so close to the rotors that they can rust without even being applied? This just doesn't seem right.

06-11-2015, 07:31 AM	#3
PAUL SS The Mark of Excellence Drives: 2010 ABM 1SS RS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Smallest State in the Union Posts: 8,688 View My Garage	Try backing up too. As stated above, easily preventable by a short drive around the block or even up and down the driveway. __________________ BMR, CAI, DynoMax, Elite Eng., Hurst, Jannetty, Clear Image Headers & Hi Flow cats, Jet Hot, LSR, TSW, VMax, Vredestein

06-11-2015, 07:32 AM	#4
ZED SLED Drives: 2017 Mosaic Bk ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South of Raleigh, NC Posts: 9,615 View My Garage	After a wash and dry I always roll mine down the driveway with the brakes engaged. Go back and forth several times. Usually does the job and keeps rust off the rotors. __________________

06-11-2015, 09:14 AM	#6
ZL W0N GuitarmageddonZL1 Drives: ‘13 ZL1, ‘17 TT ZL1, ‘17 Silverado Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 432	Yeah like people are saying, you can't let that stay on the rotors, especially the front ones. All you have to do is drive back and forth a few times, using the brakes to clean off the rotors. It's ok if it sits for a little while after washing, but it's not good to let it sit for an extended period of time. I read it somewhere about care and maintenance for your ZL1. __________________

06-12-2015, 08:01 AM	#7
PAUL SS The Mark of Excellence Drives: 2010 ABM 1SS RS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Smallest State in the Union Posts: 8,688 View My Garage	It really does not take much rolling or driving to generate some heat in the pads and rotors. That's all you really need. __________________ BMR, CAI, DynoMax, Elite Eng., Hurst, Jannetty, Clear Image Headers & Hi Flow cats, Jet Hot, LSR, TSW, VMax, Vredestein

06-11-2015, 07:27 AM	#2
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	Yes this will happen if you don't drive the car soon after you wash it. Even a severe rainstorm won't get water into the gap the way a hose will when pointed right at the rotors.

06-11-2015, 07:39 AM	#5
Jeb114 Drives: 2021 300 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 968	Happens to all of them. fords and dodges too. just go down the road hit the brakes a couple of times and it brushes off.

06-12-2015, 08:18 AM	#8
renyart Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa Posts: 230 View My Garage	That's what I've found as well.

06-13-2015, 11:54 PM	#9
OldJedi Use the Force Drives: 2015 Corvette Z51, 2018 Porsche GTS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Davie, Fl. Posts: 3,862	Yes, I found out right after I got our ZL1 in 2012 and the first time I washed it. Very scary to be revving the motor a lot and burning the clutch trying to get the car to go either forwards or back inside the garage. Finally after numerous tries it broke loose. I learned my lesson to drive the car after I wash it and back it out of the garage the next day as well. The rust bonds the pads to the rotor very well. __________________ Walk softly, carry a light saber and drive a ZL1!

10-27-2015, 04:40 PM	#10
Brad956 Drives: 2014 Camaro RS Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Alamo, Texas Posts: 91 View My Garage	I'n getting the same problem but i was attempting to see if the ss cailpers would fit into my rotors. Now i have them locked. Is it safe to back up or forward the car?

10-27-2015, 07:57 PM	#12
hotlap Drives: 20 1LE 2SS M6 Rally Green Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Franklin WI Posts: 6,634	Dido __________________ "the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.” Ronald Reagan -

10-27-2015, 08:39 PM	#14
gbu27 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NC Posts: 106	Also if you let them dry up without warming them right after a wash, the brake dust is so bad from the rust that forms you might as well not wash it.